NO EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DURING HOLY WEEK

MONDAY
April 14th

12:10 PM Mass

Jesus continued His journey toward the cross with significant events that revealed His authority and mission. He cleansed the Temple, driving out money changers who were exploiting worshippers, symbolizing the need for true worship. He also cursed a barren fig tree, representing Israel’s spiritual emptiness. Later, He taught in the Temple, confronting religious leaders who questioned His authority.

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said the them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.’” -Matthew 21:12-13

TUESDAY
April 15th

Office Closed

7:00 AM Mass

Peter noticed the fully withered fig tree Jesus had cursed, to which Jesus admonished a lesson to have faith and recognize the power of forgiveness:

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not count in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  –Mark 11:22-26

All the priests of a diocese gather with their bishop for the Chrism Mass. All walk, donned in white vestments, in procession. At this Mass, the sacred oils that will be used for baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and ordination during the following year are blessed and consecrated by Archbishop Aquila at the Cathedral.

WEDNESDAY
April 16th

Gift Shop closed | No Seniors meeting

11:30 AM Confession
12:10 PM Mass

While in Bethany, a woman anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume. While Jesus rests in Bethany at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the plot of the high priest and the authorities to kill Jesus is in full swing.

Finding an open opportunity in the greed of Judas, Satan entered him. Judas went to the chief priests and authorities, “and from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” He would soon betray Jesus for the price of a slave.

THURSDAY
April 17th

Office, gift shop, food pantry closed
No Daily Mass | No Youth Group

7:00 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper

followed by a silent procession to the altar of repose at the Campus Chapel
Eucharistic Adoration until midnight

In an upper room, Jesus and His disciples shared the Last Supper. This was the Passover Seder Meal remembering Israel’s exodus from Egypt.

On Thursday, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and broke break with them for the last time.

After the meal, the disciples accompanied Jesus to the Garden at Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel came to strengthen Jesus in the garden. There, He taught His disciples, and us, what to do when we come to the end of our own strength and need God to help us press on.

Maundy, from the Latin root madam, means “commandment” or “mandate.” On that Thursday Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment, which is why we use the term Maundy today. The word in this context is used by Jesus after He washes the feet of His friends.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” –John 13:34

FRIDAY
April 16th

Office Closed

3:00 PM Good Friday Service
6:00 PM stations of the cross
(both priests available for confession)

Good Friday was the last day of Jesus’ life on earth before His resurrection. He was betrayed by Judas, as predicted, and denied by Peter, as predicted. His disciples scattered. He was arrested and was placed on trial falsely. He was condemned, beaten, mocked, and required to carry His own cross to the place where He was crucified and died. “The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head.” Though he was offered something to dull the physical pain, Jesus refused. He chose to face the pain of death head on. They stripped Him of His clothes and cast lots for them, fulfilling another prophecy.

Two prisoners were crucified alongside Jesus. One mocked Him, but the other said, “‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43). Amidst the most cruel, unfair, unjust, and painful death a human body could endure, Jesus chose to respond in grace to the criminal beside Him and care for His mother and best friend. “When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother’” (John 19:25-27). At noon, Jesus cried out “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and died.

“It was at about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” –Luke 23:44-46

Jesus was taken down from the cross, wrapped in linens, and placed in a tomb.

Catholic churches observe Good Friday with a special Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion that replaces Mass, featuring Scripture readings, the Passion narrative, Veneration of the Cross, intercessory prayers, and Communion.

Catholics fast and abstain from meat as a form of sacrifice.

SATURDAY
April 19th

9:00 AM blessing of Easter Food

8:00 PM Easter Vigil Mass

Jesus’ body rested in the tomb; it is a day of silence and prayer.

Easter officially begins with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, the most solemn and beautiful liturgy of the year. This service begins in darkness, symbolizing the world before Christ’s resurrection. A new fire is lit, and the Paschal Candle, representing Christ as the Light of the World, is processed into the church. Worshippers light their candles from this flame, gradually illuminating the space in a powerful moment of hope and renewal.

The Liturgy of the Word follows, with Scripture readings tracing God’s salvation plan, from Creation to Christ’s resurrection. Next, the baptismal vows are renewed, and in many churches, new converts are baptized and confirmed, marking their full entrance into the faith. Finally, with the joyful proclamation of Christ’s resurrection, the Gloria and Alleluia return, and the first Mass of Easter is celebrated.